DIY project: Make a metal and wood toilet paper holder in 30 minutes
Making an industrial-style Toilet paper holder out of plumbing fittings is pretty easy. Y adding a wooden shelf, handy for putting your smartphone on, is just as simple. Thanks to the choice of the right wood species and the various finish options for the metal parts, your toilet paper holder can go with any style: contemporary, vintage, retro, steampunk and, of course, industrial.
What do you need to make your DIY toilet paper holder?
For this DIY toilet paper holder project, all you need to have on hand are the following:
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a wooden shelf cut to the desired dimensions (here we cut to 22 x 10.5 cm)
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a drill with a 22mm wood-bit-flat (to pass a 21mm pipe)
- Some plumbing fittings and pipes in 15x21mm:
- 1 x ½''Tees
- 1 x ½'' Elbow
- 2 x Nipples ½''
- 2 x Plugs ½'' one plug to hold the roll at the end of the pipe, one plug above the shelf to hold it
- 1 x 15cm ½'' Pipe on which to rest your toilet roll
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1 x 4cm ½'' pipe that will fit inside your wooden shelf
Please note, the size of this pipe is suitable for an 18mm or 20mm shelf. For this type of assembly, you need to allow around 2cm of thread on each side. - 1 x ½'' Flange to secure the reel to the bulkhead
Afinish with a varnish or paint is recommended to ensure the metal elements last in the long term and personalise your item.
So, the toilet paper holder, without shelf, but ready to use, is available here.
Assemble the steel and black cast Toilet paper holders structure with the wooden shelf:
For assembly you can refer to the video at the top of the page.
The various stages of manufacture are:
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assembling the various components of the toilet paper holder
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To screw the various elements together, simply follow the video or base your choice on the final image. The 4cm pipe and the second plug don't need to be fitted yet at this stage.
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finishing the cast iron and steel plumbing components with a ferrous metal varnish or paint
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A simple varnish will allow you to retain the raw, authentic character of the plumbing fittings (as in our photo). Black paint will give the room a more sober look. A pop colour will add a quirky, original edge to your toilet paper holder.
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drilling the shelf with the 22mm flat drill bit
The easiest way to position the hole through which the small pipe will pass is to use the already assembled structure to position the wooden shelf perfectly. This will lock it against the floor flange, ensuring minimal space between the shelf and the wall.
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installing the shelf on the reel structure.
At this stage, simply screw the 4cm pipe onto the reel holder structure, place the wooden shelf on the pipe and add the plug to hold the shelf in place.
As long as the female cast iron plug is larger than the hole drilled for the pipe to pass through, the shelf will be held securely.
All that's left is to install it on the wall of your toilet!
For easier installation, it's easiest to screw the reel without the shelf into the wall for easy access to the 3 holes in the floor flange. Once firmly anchored to the wall, all you need to do is complete the assembly.
Want to personalise your toilet paper holder even more? Replace the Tee with a Cross or a distributor on a tee and add a manometer, a black or red handwheel ora tap to your creation!
A question or comment? Feel free to contact us here.